AP

Morel homers in 3rd straight game, Cubs beat Red Sox 6-5

Jul 1, 2022, 3:08 AM | Updated: 4:55 pm

Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ runs to first base after hitting a double during the first inning of a baseb...

Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ runs to first base after hitting a double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Chicago, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)


              Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ runs to first base after hitting a double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Chicago, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
            
              Boston Red Sox's Jackie Bradley Jr., hits a three-run double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
            
              Boston Red Sox's Christian Vazquez celebrates with teammates after scoring on a three-run double by Boston Red Sox's Jackie Bradley Jr., during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
            
              Boston Red Sox's Jackie Bradley Jr., watches after hitting a three-run double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
            
              Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ runs to first base after hitting a double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Chicago, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
            
              Boston Red Sox's Jackie Bradley Jr., hits a three-run double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
            
              Boston Red Sox's Christian Vazquez celebrates with teammates after scoring on a three-run double by Boston Red Sox's Jackie Bradley Jr., during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
            
              Boston Red Sox's Jackie Bradley Jr., watches after hitting a three-run double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
            
              Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Adrian Sampson throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
            
              Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rich Hill throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
            
              Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Adrian Sampson reacts as he looks at the scoreboard after Boston Red Sox's Jackie Bradley Jr., hit a three-run double during the second inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Friday, July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

CHICAGO (AP) — Christopher Morel got a belt-high pitch and launched it toward Waveland Avenue for a long two-run homer.

Another big moment for the rookie from the Dominican Republic. And he’s had a few lately, whether he was delivering at the plate or in the field.

Morel homered in his third consecutive game, and the Chicago Cubs rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 6-5 on Friday.

The Cubs took advantage of 10 walks by five pitchers and came back after falling behind 4-0.

Morel came up big again when he launched a tying two-run drive to left against Hansel Robles (1-3) with two out in the sixth.

Willson Contreras then walked and scored on a wild pitch by Jake Diekman to Nico Hoerner to make it 6-5 and cap a three-run inning. That sent the Cubs to their fourth win in five games.

Morel playing a big role is becoming the norm for the Cubs.

He had five hits in Thursday’s romp over Cincinnati. He also went deep Wednesday and made a terrific throw from center field to nail a runner at the plate and help lift the Cubs to an 8-3 win over the Reds.

Against Boston, he started at second base. And as far as he’s concerned, that’s just fine. He’ll play wherever manager David Ross wants.

“That’s why I work on it every single day. Every position,” Morel said. “Anywhere they need me, that’s what I’m there for, the team. Wherever they need me, I’ll be there.”

The Red Sox looked ready to roll to an easy win after going 20-6 in June.

Jarren Duran, back in the lineup for Boston after missing a three-game series at Toronto because he’s unvaccinated, drove the game’s first pitch from Adrian Sampson to the center-field bushes for a home run.

Jackie Bradley Jr. made it 4-0 with a three-run double in the second. Rich Hill breezed through the first four innings before exiting with a sprained left knee in a three-run fifth.

The 10 walks were the most by Boston since 11 at the Los Angeles Angels in a 15-inning game on Aug. 30, 2019.

Hill, who debuted with the Cubs in 2005, gave up three runs and three hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked four and struck out three.

Hill appeared to be shaking his leg at one point in the fifth and was visited by an athletic trainer. The 42-year-old left-hander exited after hitting Patrick Wisdom to load the bases with two out.

Tyler Danish came in and walked Rafael Ortega, cutting the gap to 4-3.

Hill said he “felt great” prior to the fifth

“Unfortunately, I put us in a tough position, and that’s what makes me sick to my stomach,” Hill said. “But overall, before that point, the ball was coming out well.”

Ian Happ had three hits for Chicago.

Sampson gave up five runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. Brandon Hughes (1-0) got three outs and earned his first career win, and David Robertson worked the ninth for his 10th save in 13 chances.

DIFFERENT THREADS

The Cubs wore dark blue uniforms with “Wrigleyville” on the front for their first game against the Red Sox at Wrigley Field since 2012. The teams met at Fenway Park in 2017.

GETTING VACCINATED

Duran said being away from his teammates convinced him to reconsider his stance about getting vaccinated. He vowed to be available when Boston returns to Toronto in late September. Closer Tanner Houck, who also missed the Blue Jays series, wouldn’t say whether he will be, too.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale (rib) will make at least one more minor league rehab start before the Boston Red Sox decide if their ace is ready to join their rotation after being sidelined all season. Sale struck out seven over four innings for Double-A Portland on Thursday. Cora said his mechanics were sound in his third rehab outing and he felt “physically great.” The 33-year-old left-hander is scheduled to pitch for Triple-Worcester on Wednesday.

Cubs: RHP Marcus Stroman (right shoulder inflammation) and LHP Drew Smyly (strained right oblique) threw bullpen sessions on Friday. … OF Seiya Suzuki (sprained left ring finger) was to serve as the designated hitter for Triple-A Iowa on Friday. … 2B David Bote (left shoulder) was sore after colliding with SS Nico Hoerner in Thursday’s win over Cincinnati. … 1B Frank Schwindel (strained lower back) took 40 swings.

UP NEXT

Rookie RHP Josh Winckowski (3-1, 3.60 ERA) looks to win his fourth straight start for Boston since being recalled from Triple-A on June 15. RHP Alec Mills (0-1, 9.87) pitches for Chicago.

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

1 year ago

Joe Jarzynka...

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

1 year ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

1 year ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

1 year ago

FILE -  Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

1 year ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

1 year ago

Morel homers in 3rd straight game, Cubs beat Red Sox 6-5